Portable toilet training seat

ABSTRACT

A portable toilet training seat. The system features a foldable U-shaped spacer which is placed on top of a standard toilet seat in a public restroom, providing a reduced diameter seat for the child. A banana shaped storage bag is provided to accommodate a half-folded spacer. The storage bag is reusable and machine washable, but contains a vinyl insert intended to isolate the spacer from the bag itself. Both the storage bag and the insert are configured so as to be reversible. The insert is heat-resistant and dishwasher safe. A sanitizing spray may be provided with the invention to form a kit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/045,299, filed Sep. 3, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to accessories for infant and toddler care and in particular to a portable toilet training seat. When a toddler is ready for toilet training, most parents have become weary of changing diapers and are ready to get the job done. Unfortunately, with today's highly mobile lifestyles, parents are frequently away from home with their children and are unable to use the training seat at home which results in a substantially delayed completion of toilet training, and very frustrated parents. A portable toilet training seat would resolve this problem. In particular a system featuring a foldable U-shaped spacer which is placed on top of a standard toilet seat in a public restroom, providing a reduced diameter seat for the child would be useful. The device may be used multiple times during the day, at a county fair, amusement park, airport, rest stop, or any other location offering a public restroom, the device and carry bag preferably fit into a diaper bag, or clips to the outside of a diaper bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a portable toilet training seat. The system features a foldable U-shaped spacer which is placed on top of a standard toilet seat in a public restroom, providing a reduced diameter seat for the child. A banana shaped storage bag is provided to accommodate a half-folded spacer. The storage bag is reusable and machine washable, but contains a vinyl insert intended to isolate the spacer from the bag itself. Both the storage bag and the insert are configured so as to be reversible. The insert is heat-resistant and dishwasher safe. A sanitizing spray may be provided with the invention to form a kit.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is included to provide a further understanding of the invention and is incorporated into and constitutes a part of the specification. It illustrates one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the spacer 10, the flange 11, and the handle 12 in a storage configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the spacer 10, the flange 11, the handle 12 in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the spacer 10, the seam 10A, and the handles 12 in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a side profile view of the first exemplary embodiment in a folded position, displaying the spacer 10, the handle 12, and the hinges 14.

FIG. 5 shows a side profile view of the storage bag component of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the storage bag 16, the zipper 17, the strap 18, and the clip 19.

FIG. 6 shows a side transparency view of the first exemplary embodiment in a folded position within the storage bag, displaying the spacer 10, the handle 12, the hinges 14, the storage bag 16, the zipper 17, the strap 18, and the clip 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to a portable toilet training seat. The system features a foldable U-shaped spacer 10 which is placed on top of a standard toilet seat in a public restroom, providing a reduced diameter seat for the child. A banana shaped storage bag 16 is provided to accommodate a half-folded spacer 10. The storage bag 16 is reusable and machine washable, but contains a vinyl insert intended to isolate the spacer 10 from the storage bag 16 itself. The insert is preferably fixedly retained within the storage bag 16 to form a composite material, for example by stitching. The storage bag 16 and insert is heat-resistant and dishwasher safe. A sanitizing spray may be provided with the invention to form a kit; where the sanitizing spray is provided, a correspondingly shaped reclosable compartment affixed to the exterior or interior of the storage bag 16.

The first exemplary embodiment features a U-shaped spacer 10, which is foldable with a plurality of locking hinges 14 along a seam 10A at the rear. The locking feature of the hinges 14 prevents the spacer 10 from collapsing into the toilet (specifically, the hinges 14 may be configured so as to permit a maximum of 180° rotation between the folded and open positions). The spacer 10 provides a reduced diameter seat for a small child. A flange 11 on the bottom surface of the spacer 10 secures the spacer 10 to the toilet, and prevents the spacer 10 from sliding off or into the toilet. A pair of folding handles 12 extends upward and outward laterally from each side. The handles 12 are movable between a storage position (FIG. 1) and an open position (FIG. 2). The spacer 10 is preferably for use with a child who weighs up to 45 pounds and as such may be used by multiple potty training children.

The spacer 10 may then be placed inside the storage bag 16, to which is attached a strap 18, carabiner clip 19, and a closure device such as a zipper 17. The zipper 17 preferably runs the full length of the bag 16 as shown such that the bag 16 and vinyl insert therein may be reversed. The storage bag 16 also features a pair of clips to secure it to the outside of a diaper bag.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user removes the spacer 10 from the storage bag 16. The user then unfolds the spacer 10, locks the hinges 14 into the open position, and unfolds the handles 12 to the open position. The user then places the spacer 10 on top of the toilet seat, such that the flanges 11 are inside the rim of the toilet seat. The child then uses the toilet with the spacer 10. The user then removes the spacer 10 from the toilet seat, folds the handles 12, unlocks the hinges 14, folds the spacer 10, and places the insert 10 inside the storage bag 16, and closes the zipper 17 or other closure.

The spacer 10 is preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material which is easily cleaned, such as high-impact plastic. The handles 12 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material, such as plastic or aluminum The hinges 14 and the zipper 17 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material, such as aluminum, steel, or brass. The storage bag 16 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material, which is machine washable, such as cotton, cotton-polyester blend, or nylon. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A portable toilet training seat, comprising: (a) a spacer having a seam located at the rear; (b) said spacer being u-shaped; (c) said spacer being configured to fold in half along said seam towards a bottom surface; (c) said spacer having an opening with a diameter smaller than a standard toilet seat opening; (d) a plurality of locking hinges; (e) said plurality of locking hinges being located along said seam; (f) said plurality of locking hinges being configured to fold said spacer in half towards a bottom surface; (g) said plurality of locking hinges being configured to lock when said spacer is in an open position; (h) a flange; (i) said flange being located on a bottom surface of said spacer; (j) said flange being configured to secure said spacer to a standard toilet seat by aligning with an inside rim os said standard toilet seat; (k) a pair of folding handles; (l) said pair of folding handles being configured to fold onto a top surface of said spacer when in a storage position; (m) a storage bag; and (n) said storage bag being of a size and shape such that said spacer fits inside said storage bag when in a closed position.
 2. The portable toilet training seat of claim 1, wherein said spacer is configured to sit on top of a standard toilet seat.
 3. The portable toilet training seat of claim 1, wherein said storage bag further comprises a vinyl insert.
 4. The portable toilet training seat of claim 3, wherein said vinyl insert is fixedly retained within said storage bag.
 5. The portable toilet training seat of claim 1, wherein said storage bag is machine washable.
 6. The portable toilet training seat of claim 3, wherein said storage bag and said vinyl insert are machine washable.
 7. The portable toilet training seat of claim 4, wherein said storage bag and said vinyl insert are machine washable.
 8. The portable toilet training seat of claim 1, wherein said storage bag further comprises a strap; said strap having a carabiner clip.
 9. The portable toilet training seat of claim 2, wherein said storage bag further comprises a strap; said strap having a carabiner clip.
 10. The portable toilet training seat of claim 1, wherein said storage bag further comprises a closure device; said closure device being a zipper; and said closure device running the full length of said storage bag.
 11. The portable toilet training seat of claim 2, wherein said storage bag further comprises a closure device; said closure device being a zipper; and said closure device running the full length of said storage bag.
 12. The portable toilet training seat of claim 1, wherein said folding handles extend upward and outward laterally from the sides of said spacer when in an open position. 